State worker accused of stealing $17,000 from celebration fund

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TACOMA — An environmental specialist with the state Department of Ecology has pleaded not guilty to stealing more than $17,000 from an employee celebration fund.

The News Tribune reports that the female employee, 48, of Spanaway, was charged with first-degree theft after being arrested Feb. 10.

Court documents say she had managed a voluntary fund that paid for employee celebrations, such as birthdays and retirements. The account had contributions from about 220 employees, according to an investigation.